Freedom of the Press - Papua New Guinea (2004)

Status: Free
Legal Environment: 5
Political Influences: 11
Economic Pressures: 9
Total Score: 25

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 57
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (22 percent), Protestant (44 percent), indigenous beliefs (34 percent)
Ethnic Groups: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian Polynesian
Capital: Port Moresby

The constitution provides for freedom of speech and press, and media provide independent coverage, reporting on politically sensitive issues such as corruption. A law was proposed in April to prosecute anyone who publicly criticized the country or its government. In November Prime Minister Michael Somare, a former journalist, made further threats to press freedom, commenting that he was tired of reading media reports about official corruption. Transparency International rates the country as the world's 15th most corrupt nation. Independent newspaper, radio, and TV are present, in addition to government-controlled stations. Radio is an important medium due to low literacy levels and scattered settlements. In August, armed men entered the Bougainville offices of the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier, threatening to kill journalists Gorethy Kenneth and Eric Kone if further articles about the Solomon Islands' rebel leader, Harold Keke, were published.